Ian McCollum - Forgotten Weapons

EOTech / Bushnell Model 500 Holosight

November 7, 2026 Ian McCollum 0

The initial Model 500 series of EOTech sights was introduced in approximately 1999, replacing the 400 series. This new model changed the form factor of the sight to what we still see today, with a […]

The Only FAL Contract Not In 7.62mm (Venezuelan 7mm Liviano)

November 6, 2026 Ian McCollum 11

Venezuela was one of the early adopters of the FAL rifle. They purchased two of the initial FN prototypes, and made the decision to purchase it in quantity in 1955, with an initial order of […]

Japan’s Cold War Battle Rifle: Howa Type 64

November 4, 2026 Ian McCollum 23

Chassepot to FAMAS at Headstamp Publishing Wool field shirt at Varusteleka Courtesy of reader Christopher, we have a PDF of an original Type 64 manual available for anyone interested: https://www.forgottenweapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/Type-64-Manual.pdf In the aftermath of World […]

Book Review – From Balkans to Babylon: Zastava AKs of Yugoslavia, Serbia, and Iraq

November 3, 2026 Ian McCollum 0

“From Balkans to Babylon” by Vladimir Onokoy is a new book from Safar Publishing about Zastava AKs. It covers both the original Zastava guns made in Yugoslavia, the post-breakup production in Serbia, and also the […]

Unique Prototype FN FAL in .30 Carbine

November 2, 2026 Ian McCollum 4

This one-off rifle was produced at FN in 1950 as a testbed for testing different locking systems and manufacturing methods for the Light Automatic Rifle which would eventually become the FAL we know today. It […]

New Headstamp Book: The Real Schmeissers (MP18 to MP41)

November 1, 2026 Ian McCollum 9

Available now: https://www.headstamppublishing.com/purchase/p/schmeisser-standard Hugo Schmeisser’s name is synonymous with the development of some of the most influential submachine guns of the 20th century, yet myths and misinformation continue to obscure some of the fascinating real […]